Single Idea 17696

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 5. Generalisation by mind]

Full Idea

Work is needed to distinguish abstract nouns ...from the generic uses of what are otherwise concrete nouns. The contrast is that of 'humility is a virtue' and 'water is a liquid'.

Gist of Idea

'Humility is a virtue' has an abstract noun, but 'water is a liquid' has a generic concrete noun

Source

Henry Laycock (Words without Objects [2006], Intro 4 n25)

Book Reference

Laycock,Henry: 'Words without Objects' [OUP 2006], p.12


A Reaction

'Work is needed' implies 'let me through, I'm an analytic philosopher', but I don't think they will separate very easily. What does 'watery' mean? Does water have concrete virtues?